One night, while Uriah was away with the Army, David sees Bathsheba bathing, is aroused and sends his servants to get her - has sex with her and sends her home. Bathsheba becomes pregnant. This is a problem because her husband has been away fighting in David's army - so David recalls Uriah - expecting him to sleep with his wife and therefore hide the true lineage of the baby. But Uriah is so loyal to David and his army companions that he can't think about going home to comfort while the rest are experiencing hardships - he stays at the palace grounds. What's a King to do? He sends instructions to his general to put Uriah in harm's way - he does and Uriah is killed.
The Bible does not state this, but for Uriah to have a house in Jerusalem within such close proximity to the palace (specifically "within viewing distance") he must have served the King when they were not at war - perhaps as a palace guard or a member of the court. He was a loyal servant of the King.
Many believe Bathsheba is the seductress and blame her for David's sin. What do You think?
2 Samuel 11:1-4 David and Bathsheba
"In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war" - David should have been leading his troops but instead stayed in Jerusalem.
"Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed" - Bathsheba was bathing at night, when one might have expected others to be sleeping.
"And from the roof he saw a woman bathing and the woman was very beautiful to behold" - David could have turned away and respected Bathsheba's privacy, but . . .
"So David sent and inquired about the woman" - David took the initiative - he learned that she was the wife of one of his loyal soldiers Uriah, the Hittite.
"Then David sent messengers to get her" - Bathsheba was a woman - alone - her husband was away at war - He was the King - she was unable to refuse to go.
"She came to him, and he slept with her" - this text makes it clear that the initiative came from David. The reality of the times of ancient kings was that they had the power. A woman of the royal court was relatively powerless - a King owns his subjects.
Was Bathsheba a victim of David's lust or the seductress?
Please
- read this week's prayer
- include those on the prayer request list with your daily prayers
- read Chapter 5 in your book
- read the associated Scripture
- review and answer the questions in your workbook for Chapter 5
- be prepared to discuss at our study on Monday, October 13th
Have a wonderful week!